Kokoya District wants to leave Bong

A group of Bong County citizens have embarked on a campaign to create a new county. The campaign is being led by former deputy speaker Attorney Patrick Williams, prominent Bong County health worker and politician Alexander Zogbaye, and other prominent citizens of the county. 

The campaigners are calling for the entire Kokoyah Statutory District be to be cut off from Bong, while District#3 in Grand Bassa County will also be added to form a new county. Some of those heading the initiative told our Bong County correspondent they are currently drafting a bill to be submitted to the Liberian Legislature, calling for the merging of both districts for the creation of a new county.

.It is not known whether the Ministry of Internal Affairs is aware of the latest effort, but according to the crafters, the proposed county will be called “St. John River County” with capital to be between Grand Bassa and Bong Counties.

Citizens of Kokoyah Statutory District have always complained of lack of development despite being one of the major sources of Bong County’s income. The district provides the route thru which Arcelor Mittal’s train transports its ores from Nimba County to the Port of Buchanan, Grand Bassa with Bong County benefiting US$500,000 every year as social development fund.

The campaigners believe much will be achieved in terms of development if the proposed county is enacted as they will have their own leadership and get a fair share of national resources.

Citizens’ reaction to the move to create a new county are mixed with some expressing support while others think both districts should remain part of Bong County and demand their fair share of the county’s resources.

Since it gained county status in 1964, Bong has largely remained peaceful and cohesive with report of districts seeking to breakaway.

By Papa Morris from Bong -Editing by Jonathan Browne